SMC No. 1/2014 etc 21 preserving and protecting this right at a communal level, where the latter does not infringe on the former. For, according to French writer, historian and philosopher Voltaire in his ‘Treatise on Tolerance’ (1763), “religion is instituted to make us happy in this life and the next. But what is required to make us happy in the life to come” To be just.” 18. However, the question which calls for consideration is: do the minorities in practice enjoy the rights guaranteed to them in terms of the afore-referred provisions of the Constitution? 19. This question can best be appreciated if the socio- political conditions in the country are kept in view. Pakistan is a transitional democracy and like all other countries (similarly placed) is confronted with competing political and social challenges. Most of the political institutions of consequence are in the process of evolution. However, the defining feature of a democratic governance is complete dedication and adherence in every day life to the seminal principles of equity, justice and inclusion of all irrespective of their colour, creed, caste, sex or faith. The sustainability of democracy depends on how best these challenges are met. Democracy is not an unmixed blessing; on the one hand it confers respect for minorities’ rights and on the other it provides a platform where intolerance and hatreds get leeway leading to societal friction and violence. Such intolerance and hatreds have found their way in the social media as well and no effort has been made to check it. The English Daily Dawn alluded to this trend in social media in its editorial comment (dated 9th of June, 2014) and said that:“A Small-scale survey conducted by the online freedom of expression group Bytes for All of hate speech in social media